This is certainly an important investment for the most extensive network in the Czech Republic, developed over 140 km, opened in 1875, with 29 daytime and 9 night-time lines. Almost all lines have a journey time of between 40 and 50 minutes; three lines (10,22,26) have a journey time of around 70 minutes. The frequency of passages is on average every 10 minutes and the service operates from 4.00 to 0.30 a.m. on average, with the exception of line 42 which operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The data can give an idea of the extremely demanding service for the rolling stock.  Prague’s tram network is beautiful and distinctive, alternating sharp bends with steep inclines with long, straight routes.

The new tram is a combination of  components from other Škoda projects. The frames are taken from the ForCity Smart trams in Ostrava, Pilsen and Brno, while the powerful traction motor comes from the ForCity Plus project in Frankfurt, Cottbus and Brandenburg. In terms of the vehicle’s rough construction, the inspiration came from the five-part ForCity Plus tram in Bratislava.

The vehicle, a totally low-floor, one-way vehicle, consists of five bodies, 32 metres long, with 70 seats, 44 of which are front-facing and 26 facing each other, increasing the transport capacity by 33 passengers, i.e. by 16%.  Particular attention was paid to materials, air conditioning with environmentally friendly refrigerant, and energy-saving LED interior and exterior lighting.

The passenger information system is provided by six large screens arranged along the vehicle; more identifiable and intuitive will be the buttons for opening doors and any driver warnings.  The vehicle will also be equipped with an anti-collision system and automatic passenger counting.

Due to the characteristics of the network, curves and elevation profiles, the mechanical part has been carefully designed. The tram will be equipped with two rotating bogies at the ends and two partially rotating intermediate bogies. This solution guarantees adaptability to any type of requirement on the line, such as tight curves, while also reducing wear and tear on the tracks, and at the same time allowing for an accessible and spacious passenger environment. This solution will have an impact on longer vehicle life, assuming, for example, up to 50% more mileage than 15T trams, and ultimately lower maintenance costs for the bogies and its more expensive components.

The design is the result of the Skoda Group design team assisted by Romáš Chludil. The livery is white with red stripes, already adopted on the 24-metre trolleybuses.

Anti-collision system – accident prevention

Each tram will be equipped with a Škoda anti-collision system to reduce the likelihood of traffic collisions. To this end, the system uses a combination of LiDAR and HD camera technology and precise localisation using off-line recorded HD maps and odometry. This configuration allows the system to create a virtual driving tunnel in which the tram can detect obstacles within 10 cm, provide early warnings, minimise false positives and activate emergency braking in time. The anti-collision system will thus help prevent serious accidents and damage to vehicles.

Sustainable braking technology

The tram will be equipped with an electromechanical braking system, chosen for its efficiency and sustainability. Electromechanical brakes offer simple operation and maintenance, oil-free economy and low operating costs. They function only as emergency, locking and reserve brakes. A more precise and faster response and better control of smooth deceleration will be ensured by the electrodynamic motor brake, which is part of the drive and motor. The advantage of this solution is less noise and the highest possible speed of recovery when the vehicle is stationary. The energy recovered from the recovery will mainly be used for maintenance and operation of the vehicle or returned to the grid for use by another vehicle. This contributes to greater energy efficiency and a reduction in overall energy consumption. In addition, wear and tear on the brakes themselves and the track infrastructure is reduced.

Compared to a hydraulic braking system, it also contains no hydraulic fluids, which not only makes it more environmentally friendly, but also significantly reduces vehicle maintenance and recommissioning times.

The new Skoda tram will provide both greater transport capacity and greater operating economy. A look into the future in the name of sustainable mobility.

Technical parameters of the Škoda ForCity Plus Praha 52T tram:

– Vehicle length over bumpers: 31.99 m

– Vehicle width: 2.5 m

– Total vehicle capacity: 243 to 5 persons/m2

– Number of standing places: 173

– Number of seats: 70 in total, of which 44 in the direction of travel = and 26 in the opposite direction

– Low-floor section: 100% (all seats are accessible without landings and stairs)

– Total number of frames: 4 traction bogies (2 swivel and 2 partly swivel)

– Brake: electromechanical

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But let’s recap the story from the beginning. In recent years, news have often been circulating with regards to the possibility that Tesla might begin to manufacture electric buses. Or to cooperate with other companies in the market of zero emission buses. In this article Sustainable Bus sums up the history of the relationship between Tesla and electric buses.

Tesla and electric buses, where Proterra comes from

The experience developed by Tesla (that in 2023 shared it has delivered 1.8 million electric cars worldwide) had been the springboard for activities in the field of electric buses of Proterra, that for a few years has been among the main North American brands with regards to zero emission buses (two main competitors: the Canadians of New Flyer and the Chinese of BYD). Ryan Popple was indeed appointed CEO of Proterra in 2014. He had previously spent two years in Tesla Motors.

In 2015, Proterra was awarded a $3 million grant from the California Energy Commission to fund the design, development and construction of a battery-electric transit bus manufacturing line in California. In 2016 Josh Ensign left Tesla, where he covered the position of President of Manufacturing, and joined Proterra as Chief Operating Officer.

However, the company filed for bankruptcy in August 2023. In November 2023 Volvo Group has been selected as the highest bidder in an auction for the business and assets of the Proterra Powered unit, at a purchase price of $210 million. Proterra transit business went to Phoenix Motorcars.

2017, Tesla electric bus under development

Back in May 2017, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed doubts about the project to develop an electric bus signed Tesla. According to The Verge, Musk said the vehicle was under development to be presented by the end of 2017.

“I don’t know if the bus thing really makes sense in a shared and completely autonomous environment,” Musk said in response to a question about the project. “If it costs less than a bus ticket to use a shared autonomy fleet to go where you want, point to point, why don’t you just use it? So I don’t know”. Musk then added that according to him traffic and urban density “can be completely lightened with tunnels”, referring to the bizarre project focused on the creation of a system of underground tunnels.

Tesla electric bus, what about a mini?

If it is true that Musk has excluded the production of a real regular size bus, the door has remained open for a vehicle with 10 or 12 seats.

Furthermore, a minibus or van could result more suitable to Musk long-term vision: a situation where driverless technology might make public transport obsolete, allowing the circulation of self driving electric Tesla “taxis” available to take people from point to point. Such a model could prevail as long as it won’t be cause of huge congestion (avoidable, according to Musk, with tunnels… but this is another story) and it will be affordable (today Uber and Lift aren’t, as proved by the companies losses highlighted in an article of The Guardian).

Elon Musk and public transport

It is quite known how Musk dislikes public transit: “I think public transport is painful. It sucks. Why do you want to get on something with a lot of other people, that doesn’t leave where you want it to leave, doesn’t start where you want it to start, doesn’t end where you want it to end? And it doesn’t go all the time”, Tesla CEO said.

Musk’s preference for vans has been confirmed by a tweet published by Musk in November 2018, in which he looked forward to a collaboration with Daimler (an early investor in Tesla’s shares) aimed at the production of an electric van. With regard to the announcement of the next launch of his electric van, Musk tweeted: “Maybe interesting to work with Daimler/Mercedes on an electric Sprinter”. Nothing more than this. But it was enough to create a viral circulation of gossip news about a possible future Tesla electric bus.

The Turkish episode

As reported by Electrive, the news of Elon Musk smoking a joint live during a tv program has brought to a reaction by Mehmet Gürbüz, the board chairman of the municipal transportation company in the Turkish province of Balıkesir. He had invited Musk to the city offering the possibility of a cooperation that could led to the purchase of 180 electric buses. That actually Tesla is not producing at all. Anyway, the invitation was sent… but the “negative example for the youth” given by Musk led to a withdraw of the proposal. “We find that Elon Musk’s behavior live on air would serve as a negative example for the youth, unacceptable for the fight against drugs. That’s why we give up on our goal to work with Tesla, and we retract our invitation to Elon Musk,” Gürbüz said according to local press.

Tesla Bus pictures ready in 2025?

In late 2023, as mentioned in the opening, Tesla fan page account published for two times pictures of buses with Tesla’s logo on the front.

In addition to its commercially successful passenger models, the American market is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the much-discussed Cybertruck, met with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Meanwhile, in the category of large trucks, the Tesla Semi has already made its mark.

Recently, discussions about the Tesla Bus, a project that has been in development since 2016, have resurfaced.

“We expect the Tesla Bus to borrow heavily from the Tesla Semi not only in terms of design but also on powertrain and architecture”, said a video published on the Youtube channel Tesla Car World. In the same video, that is said to be based on a review of Tesla master plan, the release date of the vehicle is stated to be 2025.

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Solaris, Europe’s leading manufacturer of hydrogen buses, has signed a contract with transport operator Ruhrbahn GmbH to supply 19 innovative hydrogen buses to Essen, Germany. The order includes the delivery of nine Urbino 12 hydrogen models and ten Urbino 18 hydrogen models.

700 fuel cell buses in Solaris’ order book

Solaris is today the largest manufacturer of hydrogen buses and boasts an order book of more than 700 vehicles, 180 of which are already serving European cities and 530 are scheduled for delivery in the coming months. The German market is particularly active, investing in hydrogen-powered buses.

Urbino hydrogen buses are already operating in cities such as Cologne, Wuppertal, Hofolding, Weimar, Frankfurt, Gross-Zimmern, and in the Munich metropolitan area. Moreover, further contracts are in the pipeline, including Aschaffenburg, Krefeld, Güstrow, Gross-Gerau, Hamburg and Duisburg.

The ordered buses will be equipped with hydrogen fuel cells that generate electrical energy onboard. The 12-meter models will use a 70 kW fuel cell, while the articulated buses will have a 100 kW fuel cell. All models will be powered by central electric motors. Urbino hydrogen buses will also feature Solaris High Power batteries designed to support the fuel cell during increased activity.

The vehicles will be air-conditioned using CO2 device with heat pump heating function. In addition, each Urbino hydrogen will offer passengers practical USB chargers and an extensive passenger information system. The increase in passenger and driver safety will be ensured by GSR2 Systems, which include among others turn-assistant and brake-assistant. The operator has also opted for eSConnect, Solaris’ proprietary tool that allows full access to the data necessary to assess the bus’s performance and plan its further operation.

“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to supply Essen with the latest hydrogen vehicles, which will not only enhance passenger comfort but also represent a new stage in the transformation of the transportation industry. I am delighted that Ruhrbahn has decided to take this strategic step for the transformation of the transport industry and that together we can shape a more sustainable future with an emphasis on innovation and ecology,” said Olivier Michard, Member of the Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Solaris Bus & Coach Sp. z o.o.

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We sum up the entire history of the model in this article, taking in the consideration market reception, tenders, deliveries, production strategy and everything relevant that involve the Mercedes-made electric bus.

Mercedes eCitaro, the launch in 2018

Officially launched in September 2018, Mercedes eCitaro series production started a couple of months later and between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 the first deliveries were put in place.

At the 31st December 2019, therefore after the first year of production, 149 units of Mercedes eCitaro have been registered. In 2019, with 149 registration, Mercedes put its mark on a market share of the 5 per cent in the field of e-buses. As mentioned above, that figure grew significantly: as many as 333 eCitaro were delivered from January to December 2021. German market shifted to high gears: the Mercedes eCitaro has been the top sold electric bus in 2022 in the country.

Mercedes eCitaro, the first order? From Hamburg

It was May 2018, before the official launch of the model, when Hamburger Hochbahn placed the very first order for the Mercedes eCitaro (at that time the eCitaro was a Citaro model with camouflage on the roof, nothing to do with the front that will be definitive on the battery-bus). The public transport company, that plans to procure emission-free buses only from 2020, has placed an order for 20 units. 

Mercedes eCitaro ordered in Berlin

In June 2018, in view of the rising deployment of electric commercial vehicles, Daimler Trucks announced the establishment of a global organization for e-mobility. “We are the undisputed global leader of the trucking industry and we intend to remain in that position with electric trucks and buses» stated Martin Daum, member of the Daimler Board of Management for Trucks and Buses.

At that time Daimler Truck & Bueses portfolio of fully-electric commercial vehicles inclued two e-trucks from Freightliner, the Mercedes-Benz eActros, the FUSO eCanter, the fully-electric Mercedes eCitaro city bus and the Thomas Built Saf-T Liner C2 Jouley school bus.

In the same month of June 2018 BVG Berlin finalized an order (the second, after Hamburg) for 15 fully electric Mercedes eCitaro. The order was the result of the first tender for e-buses issued by the transport company, won by Mercedes for 15 units and by Solaris, with its Urbino 12 electric, for the other 15.

July 2018, the premiere of the Mercedes eCitaro

Then, in July 2018, it was the time for the presentation to the press of the Mercedes eCitaro (world premiere will be at IAA 2018).

With the eCitaro Mercedes was finally taking the step from low-emission bus (a definition that can match the Citaro mild hybrid) to locally emission-free bus. A clever definition that stresses a crucial point: the electric bus produces no pollution from the tailpipe, but its “cleanliness” depends on how the electricity is produced.
Coming back to the eCitaro, the drive system is provided by the electric portal axle ZF AxTrax, with electric motors at the wheel hubs. The peak output of the motors is 2 x 125 kW.

With regards to batteries, Mercedes opted for a modular concept. The maximum of energy that can be stored on board is 292 kWh split in 12 modules, half in the rear and half on the roof (six modules are the standard).

With ten battery modules, the all-electric Citaro weighs around 13.44 tonnes. In conjunction with a gross vehicle weight rating of 19.5 tonnes, this corresponds to a payload of more than six tonnes or around 88 passengers  (15 less than the conventional diesel solobus).

Energy efficiency of the Mercedes eCitaro is based on a unique thermal management system. It reduces energy consumption, therefore increasing operating range. An energy-saving heat pump is used to warm the passenger compartment, for example.

A roadmap for the Mercedes eCitaro

The new Mercedes eCitaro was announced to be the kick-off for an innovation initiative with a clear strategy aimed at the electrification of urban public transport.

Daimler claimed to be sure that the eCitaro will be able to replace city buses powered by a combustion engine nearly completely in just a few years. At the beginning, with a maximum battery capacity of 243 kWh of NMC batteries (the possibility to reach 292 kWh was later announced), the electric bus already covers, according to Daimler, about 30 percent of all requirements of the transport operators.

Since the development of battery technology is progressing at a rapid pace, the eCitaro is already designed to be transitioned to the future battery technology, was ensured by Mercedes. The next generation of the eCitaro will be able to cover, from 2020 (then changed in 2021), around 50 percent of all applications, thanks to the second generation of NMC batteries. Then the so called solid-state batteries are expected to be introduced. With a rated battery capacity of about 400 kWh in the solo bus and even more in the articulated bus, the eCitaro will then meet about 70 percent of all requirements without opportunity charging.

Order from Mannheim, deliveries in Berlin

Series production of the Mercedes eCitaro started at the end of 2018. The third order for the Mercedes eCitaro, again in the domestic market, was secured by the operator Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr which operates in Mannheim and Heidelberg, very close to the plant where the cCitaro (together with the ICE Citaro) is built. It was announced in January 2019.

In March 2019 the first eCitaro for BVG reached their destination. The eCitaro electric bus units ordered by BVG are characterised by their extensive equipment, Daimler points out. Passengers benefit from an air conditioning system, 15 double USB ports for their own end devices and three monitors for information provided during the journey.

Passengers with reduced mobility have at their disposal generously dimensioned areas for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as well as tactile handrails with ribbed handle profiles on the doors or the contrast-rich interior design. Bus drivers can take advantage of the exterior camera for keeping an eye on cyclists and pedestrians. Interior surveillance cameras and a door-closing warning system with red LED light strip and video surveillance provide for added safety.

Wiesbaden gets 56 e-buses

«It is the largest order so far for the battery electric bus by Mercedes»: this was the incipit of the article we published on April 10th 2019 following an order for as many as 56 eCitaro from the public transport company ESWE Verkehrsgesellschaft of Wiesbaden (Germany’s Hesse region). 41 of them, according to the statements then released, will be equipped with solid state batteries.

Mercedes won’t just deliver electric buses to ESWE: it will also takes care of the adaptation of the service yard, the equipment and setting up of charging infrastructure (provided by Heliox). With this commission, the city of Wiesbaden is switching a fifth of its bus fleet to electromobility within a short period of time. Deliveries began in November 2019. In early February 2021 as many as 21 e-buses were delivered: they stand out for being the very first eCitaro with solid-state batteries ever rolled out.

Mercedes eCitaro, fuel cell range extender on the horizon

In May 2019 Daimler announced that by 2021 the Mercedes eCitaro will be able to carry 330 kWh battery capacity, thus covering about 50 percent of all applications. Then, also solid-state batteries will become available. The fuel cell range extender will be the ice on the cake. In fact, the range of the eCitaro will be increased yet again by a range extender in the form of a fuel cell for generating electricity. It will be designed to allow the eCitaro to fulfil nearly 100 percent of all requirements on city buses.

This technology eliminates the need for intermediate charging and the complex infrastructure required for it in almost all cases: the eCitaro will be able to replace combustion engine-powered city buses virtually one to one, Daimler claims.

More information on this topic were released in September 2019, when it was disclosed the news that Hamburg will be the first city to test the Mercedes eCitaro with such technology. The public transport company Hamburger Hochbahn is expected to purchase 530 electric buses between 2021 and 2025. Also hydrogen applications will be in the spotlight. Starting in 2021, the operator will be field-testing the new vehicle, in the articulated version. Two units will be involved in the pilot.

The first orders from abroad

But the deployment of the eCitaro is not exclusively happening within the borders of Germany.

In summer 2019 the battery-electric bus approached foreign markets, following a batch of three orders from Luxembourg, Sweden and Norway.

The basic version of the 20 Mercedes eCitaro models from the three orders varies greatly, the manufacturer points out. What the buses have in common, however, is the high-quality equipment and double glazing, the electrically operated pivot-and-slide doors, comfortable Inter Star Eco seating for intercity operations and USB sockets for charging mobile devices.

Voyages Emile Weber, in Luxembourg, has chosen nine two-door eCitaro buses. These are equipped with the maximum number of twelve high-voltage battery packs delivering a total capacity of 292 kWh. Besides the extensive equipment, the colour concept of the passenger compartment is also very striking. From the upholstery of the seats to the grab bars or the side-wall panelling in needle felt: everything is in red. The floor covering has a homely wooden look.

Hanover to get 48 eCitaro

A new, large, German contract was concluded by Daimler Buses in August 2019. ÜSTRA, public transport provider in Hanover, signed a framework agreement for 48 units of the fully electric Mercedes city bus. The agreement is for 30 12 meter buses and 18 eCitaro G articulated buses. First vehicles were spotted in the city in January 2020.

Mercedes eCitaro wins Sustainable Bus Award 2020

October 2019 was time for the Busworld to debut in Brussels. Of course the eCitaro was among the vehicles in the spotlight ad Daimler Buses’ stand. And the Busworld 2019 was also the stage for the delivery of Sustainable Bus Award 2020. Guess which vehicle was elected as Sustainable Urban Bus? Yes, you got it: the Mercedes eCitaro. Here is the motivation:

«The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro battery electric bus wins the Sustainable Bus Award 2020 in the Urban category because today it represents the best compromise between sustainability, comfort and safety.

Daimler Buses has also been the only manufacturer, to date, to declare a range that actually corresponds to that registered by the bus in real condition operations. Also, noticeably, Daimler Buses has stated that the current eCitaro is the starting point for future technological steps.

The current Mercedes-Benz eCitaro features lithium-ion batteries for a maximum capacity of 292 kWh, that ensure a range of around 170 km in city operations (SORT 2). The eCitaro will be available with 330 kWh batteries by 2021. And a further step has already been scheduled, namely the use of solid state batteries. Also a fuel cell range extender will be implemented».

Again in Germany, Reutlinger Stadtverkehr (RSV) took delivery of four vehicles on 29th November 2019. Buses that will be recovered in a completely new and purpose-built electric bus depot. And in the same period ASEAG, transit operator in Aachen, rolled out 7 Mercedes battery electric buses, and up to further 20 units are coming.

Environmental label for the Mercedes eCitaro

In February 2020 the Mercedes eCitaro has deserved the “Blue Angel” environmental label. What is more, it’s the first fully-electric city bus entitled to bear this label, that will be displayed on the three vehicles in delivery in Jena for Jenaer Nahverkehr. The company operates local public transport in the Thuringian university city, with a fleet including 43 city buses on 13 routes. The three eCitaro models form the foundation for the first electric bus fleet in Thuringia.

Mercedes eCitaro G: it came in 2020

2020 has been the year of the launch of Mercedes eCitaro in articulated version. Namely: eCitaro G. The debut of the new version of the Mannheim-made battery-electric bus in 2020 has been scheduled by Daimler Buses ‘electric’ roadmap since the launch of the 12-meter eCitaro. Even though we could guess that the Coronavirus outbreak, with following shutdown of operations in many plants, could lead to a delay.

The Mercedes eCitaro G, with a lenght of 18.13 meters, will be able to carry up to 145 passengers (136 with the biggest battery equipment, made of 12 modules) on a continuous low floor where up to 45 seats can be placed.

The body of the vehicle is based on the Citaro G with combustion engine, and the roof is based on the Citaro G NGT with integrated heavy-duty rails, Daimler Buses points out. It’ll be available in 3-doors and 4-doors versions. Both the door positions and the layout of the passenger compartment correspond to the Citaro G with combustion engine, is specified by Daimler Buses.

Only zero emission buses by Daimler by 2030

Daimler Buses aims to offer zero emission vehicles in every segment by 2030 (both battery and hydrogen-powered). Starting in 2023, the Mercedes eCitaro will be also equipped with a hydrogen-based fuel cell as a range extender. The first full electric intercity bus will be launched in 2025.

The fuel cell of the eCitaro Range Extender comes from Toyota and is in its second generation. It is a heavy-duty unit with a maximum output of 60 kW.

Daimler Buses states it is not investing in Euro VII in Class I buses and forecasts a share of 75% of e-buses in public transport in the EU by 2030. It was announced by the manufacturer in May 2022.

Mercedes eCitaro with IVU software

What is interesting, since spring 2022 public transport operators can now acquire the electric bus Mercedes eCitaro and software from a single source, on request, thanks to a partnership between the bus builder and IVU Traffic Technologies. A current example of this is BSAG Bremen, where the delivery package includes the charging infrastructure and a charging management system. The e-bus together with software solutions from IVU becomes an eSystem.

The first tender awarded in Italy

July 2022 saw Daimler Truck winning the first tender in Italy with the eCitaro. 16 vehicles (13 with a length of 12 meters, and 3 articulated) will be in operation in the province of Trento. Signature of the contract is expected by 30/09/2022; the supply should begin within 400 consecutive days from the signature. Daimler Truck made offer together with Enel X, that will take care of charging infrastructure.

60 eCitaro in Vienna

In late 2022 Daimler Buses gained a significant order from Vienna. By the end of 2025, Wiener Linien will convert nine of its 127 routes to operation with the battery-electric bus by Mercedes. In fact, the operator has ordered 60 eCitaro. They are set to be delivered from 2023 until 2025. In summer 2022 Austrian government announced an investment of 122 million euros to support the procurement of 289 electric buses.

Mercedes eCitaro in 2023. Also in rural operations

Year 2023 saw Daimler Buses receiving a new order for 46 vehicles from Nuremberg, in the domestic market. What is interesting, a German company (VLP) has taken charge of the last 15 vehicles of a large order consisting of a total of 45 Mercedes eCitaro mainly used in regional transport.

UITP Summit 2023: Mercedes eCitaro fuel cell

Big news were launched in early 2023. The fuel cell version saw the light at the UITP Summit in Barcelona. It offers a stated range of approximately 350 kilometers without the need for recharging. This goes together a passenger capacity, on the articulated version, of up to 128 passengers. T

he difference between the eCitaro fuel cell project and most of the fuel cell buses on the market stay in the battery capacity: while it’s common to feature a small LTO battery (below 50 kWh) accompanying the fuel cell module, the eCitaro is equipped with a battery capacity similar to its battery-electric counterpart (up to 392 kWh for the 18-meter).

The eCitaro fuel cell utilizes a battery-electric drive system with high-performance batteries NMC3 (also launched in 2023), while the fuel cell acts as a hydrogen generator to extend the range.

First order for the vehicles dates back to October 2022. Daimler Buses turned to Toyota as fuel cell module provider.

Major orders intake in 2023

A major order for 70 electric articulated buses was landed in April 2023 by STIB in Brussels. They are set to be delivered from 2024. 250 units will be in operation in Hamburg for VHH in the framework of the largest e-bus tender in the operator’s history to date: VHH has indeed awarded MAN Truck & Bus and Daimler Buses two framework agreements for 100 and 250 e-buses respectively. Also UK entered the spotlight of Daimler Buses.

In late 2023 Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr received the first Mercedes‑Benz eCitaro articulated buses from series production with a fuel cell as a range extender.

But among the largest orders for the eCitaro secured in 2023, the one in The Hague stands out. 95 Mercedes eCitaro will be in operation in the city. These electric buses will replace HTM’s current natural gas buses by mid-2024, aligning with HTM’s commitment to sustainable public transport in The Hague region.

Mercedes eCitaro on its way to be produced also in France

The same year 2023 saw Daimler Buses achieving the milestone of 1,000 eCitaro units produced. In the future, the model will be produced also in France, at their plant in Ligny-en-Barrois, France. This move is part of the group’s investment of approximately 50 million euros by 2030 to expand the production of electric buses at the French location. The conversion and modernization of the plant are expected to create 250 additional jobs. However, Mannheim will remain the electromobility hub of the group.

The post Mercedes eCitaro, Daimler Buses puts the battery on its best seller. Story of the electric bus appeared first on Sustainable Bus.

Due to this partnership, Skoda will not only produce the traction devices, but also install them in the vehicles and test them. The traction equipment for the Genoa trolley buses will include traction batteries with a capacity of 81 kWh, which will allow extended operation of the vehicles off the catenary. The complete package also includes automatic current collectors or advanced diagnostics.

«At Skoda Group we are proud to be part of one of the largest trolleybus projects. It is a demonstration of the trust that our partners place in our Group’s technological expertise and manufacturing capabilities. Our traction drives, which have already been deployed in more than 50,000 vehicles worldwide, prove our commitment to excellence in every journey. We believe in innovations that cross borders and change the way people perceive urban transport» says Karel Majer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Skoda Electric in Skoda Group.

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Jean-Christophe Combe is a graduate of the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). He began his career at the French Senate in 2003, before joining Deloitte in 2007, where he was appointed Auditing and Public Sector Associate. From 2008 to 2011, he held successive positions in local authorities, before joining the French Red Cross in April 2011. 

Jean-Christophe Combe joins Keolis

Appointed Chief Executive Officer of the French Red Cross in 2016, Jean-Christophe Combe had previously held other roles within the organisation, successively supervising engagement and associative life, then operational management. He was also an active member of the International Federation of Red Cross Societies. 

In July 2022 he was appointed Minister for Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities, a post he held until July 2023. 

Marie-Ange Debon, CEO of Keolis, states: “I am delighted that Jean-Christophe will join Keolis, and I congratulate him on his appointment as Director of Marketing, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Engagement. Jean-Christophe is a seasoned professional whose background reflects his agility and open-mindedness. His extensive knowledge of the world of public services and local authorities, and his commitment to delivering services that benefit the widest audience, will be invaluable in supporting our clients in their ambition for a low-carbon mobility that is ever more inclusive and accessible to all and that contributes decisively to the economic dynamism of our communities.” 

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2023 has been a booming year for the Italian market where after the 2,351 number plates registered during 2022, registrations of buses over 8 ton hit the figure of 4,043 in 2023. The growth on 2022 is impressive: +72%. Spanish market also grew a lot: 54% compared to 2022 data, with 3,749 buses registered in 2023.

Germany, the bus market grew 12.5% in 2023

A total of 5,493 new buses and coaches were newly registered in Germany from January to December, compared to 4,883 in 2022. However, 2021 data were much higher: 6,474 new buses and coaches were registered in that year. The market, as omnibus.news notes, has not yet recovered from the pandemic, especially the coach market.

Which were the market leader? The media reports that Daimler Buses, MAN and Iveco Bus share the winner’s podium.

On an article we published on Sustainable Bus Magazine May 2023, we found that “by 2022, the five main European markets had lost a quarter of their volumes compared to 2019 (…). In Germany the sum of registrations in the three years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is slightly higher than the 2019 figure. In 2022, a thousand coaches were ‘left behind’ compared to 2019. Only the United Kingdom, among the markets analysed, suffered a comparable decline, as we will see shortly”.

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The proposed amendment introduces a 100% zero-emission target for urban buses by 2035, while setting an intermediate target of 90% for this category by 2030. The co-legislators agreed to exempt inter-urban buses from this target and place this type of HDVs under the general targets for coaches.

This follows the EU Commission’s proposal that was submitted on 14 February 2023, that asked for a ZE mandate for new city buses in 2030, followed in October 2023 by a proposed amendment by the Council aiming to move the 100% zero-emission target for urban buses to 2035, while setting an intermediate target of 85% for this category by 2030. Then, the European Parliament voted in favor of the Commission’s 45% emission reduction target for manufacturers by 2030, also apparentely re establishing 2030 as first year for 100% zero-emission mandate for urban buses.

Agreement between Council and the European Parliament

The aim of the provisional agreement is to further reduce CO2 emissions in the road transport sector and to introduce new targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040. The new rules will contribute to fulfilling the EU’s 2030 climate ambitions and reaching climate neutrality by 2050″, the Council of the EU states in a press note.

The proposal also aims to encourage an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the EU-wide heavy-duty vehicle fleet, while ensuring that innovation in the sector and its competitiveness are preserved and enhanced.

The deal is provisional pending formal adoption by both institutions. The provisional agreement will now be submitted to the member states’ representatives within the Council (Coreper) and to the Parliament’s environment committee for endorsement. If approved, the text will then need to be formally adopted by both institutions.

CO2 reduction targets, the exemptions

The co-legislators agreed to expand the scope of the regulation to make almost all new heavy-duty vehicles with certified CO2 emissions – including smaller trucks, urban buses, coaches and trailers – subject to emission reduction targets.

An exemption from the CO2 reduction targets set in the regulation will apply to:

• small-volume manufacturers and vehicles used for mining, forestry and agriculture
• vehicles for use by the armed forces and fire services
• vehicles for use in civil protection, public order and medical care

The provisional agreement also extends the scope of the regulation to vocational vehicles such as garbage trucks or concrete mixers at a later stage (2035). In addition, the Commission will analyse the possibility of including smaller lorries (under 5t) in the scope.

Big news concern repowering: “The provisional agreement also addresses the issue of retrofitted vehicles, that is conventional vehicles converted to ZEVs, allowing for the transfer of such vehicles between manufacturers. The co-legislators agreed to task the Commission with assessing, by 2025, the need to facilitate the market uptake of retrofitted HDVs through harmonised rules for their approval”.

New emission reduction targets in EU

In line with the EU’s climate objectives for 2030 and beyond, the Council and Parliament maintained the targets set by the Commission in its proposal for 2030 (45%), 2035 (65%), and 2040 (90%), in addition to the 2025 reduction target of 15% which was already provided for in the current regulation. These targets will apply to heavy trucks over 7.5t and coaches.

The co-legislators agreed to set the targets for trailers at 7.5% and for semi-trailers at 10% (Annex I). They also introduced the definition of ‘e-trailers’ to bring legal clarity and adapt the existing regulation to the technical developments in this new type of trailer, considering the potential of e-trailers to contribute to reducing the CO₂ emissions of trailers.

The effectiveness and impact of the amended regulation on the abovementioned targets will be reviewed by the Commission in 2027. The co-legislators added a series of provisions to make the review clause more comprehensive.

Among other things, the Commission will also have to evaluate the possibility of developing a common methodology for the assessment and reporting of the full lifecycle CO₂ emissions of new HDVs and produce an assessment of the role of a carbon correction factor (CCF) in the transition towards zero-emission mobility in the HDV sector. The role of a methodology for registering HDVs exclusively running on CO₂-neutral fuels will also be assessed in the review.

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LAUSD anticipates delivery of the first buses in October 2024 and for the order to be fulfilled in early 2025.

The bus manufacturer has recently delivered its 1,500th electric school bus and celebrated the grand opening of its Electric Vehicle (EV) Build-up Center in Georgia, which will enable the company to increase its long-term production capacity to 5,000 electric school buses a year. Blue Bird’s zero-emission school buses are powered by the electric PowerDrive 7000 system from Accelera by Cummins, which is a result of their long-standing collaboration on technology innovation.

Blue Bird electric school buses for Los Angeles

LAUSD already operates 26 Blue Bird electric school buses in its fleet. Moving forward, the school bus manufacturer will provide 30 Vision and 150 All American electric buses to significantly enlarge the districts’ zero-emission school bus fleet.

Both model vehicles have a range of up to 130 miles on a single charge, according to the manufacturer. Based on LAUSD’s future charging infrastructure, the buses could take between three and eight hours to recharge fully.

Blue Bird stresses that its electric buses come standard with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability. This bi-directional charging technology will allow LAUSD to potentially sell excess energy stored in school bus batteries back to electric power companies at a profit. In addition, V2G programs help balance demands on the grid and improve grid resiliency.

“Los Angeles Unified is excited to move toward the electrification of our Sun Valley Bus Yard school buses,” said Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “We must fully commit ourselves to creating a model of sustainability that benefits our students, our school communities and generations to come.”

“Blue Bird is recognized as the technology leader and innovator of all-electric school buses. We are thrilled to provide safe, reliable, and – above all – clean student transportation to the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the nation,” said Phil Horlock, CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Demand for low- and zero-emission school buses remains strong across the United States. Blue Bird will continue to meet and exceed our customer expectations.”

“LAUSD is making a monumental leap forward by committing to an all-electric future and providing a model for other school districts of how a transition of this size can take place,” said John Landherr, President & CEO of A-Z Bus Sales. “We’re proud to have helped LAUSD over the years transition from diesel to alternative fuel CNG and propane buses, and as the No. 1 dealer in electric school buses nationwide, our team is positioned to now support the district at all levels with their EV transition.”

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Hosted by Messe Berlin in collaboration with the Federal Association of German Bus Operators (bdo), the expo will be complemented by an on-stage program, workshops, and networking events. The outdoor display area features live demonstrations of coaches, public transport buses, and minibuses, offering test drives for interested trade visitors.

The Startup Area introduces fresh faces from the mobility sector, showcasing new solutions that inspire innovative business ideas. This year, Bus2Bus is a vibrant marketplace for industry leaders and newcomers alike.

Forum Forum, on tomorrow’s mobility

The 2022 edition of Bus2Bus, the bus fair in Berlin, had recorded excellent results: more than two thousand trade visitors from 25 countries, about one hundred exhibitors of 16 different nationalities.

At the Future Forum, speakers from business, politics, and research delve into the latest developments and challenges facing the future of the bus industry. Panel discussions cover diverse topics, including alternative drives, self-driving buses, and new concepts for mobility hubs. ‘Fresh Travel’ discussions explore opportunities for the coach tour industry, focusing on personalizing travel, sustainability, and green marketing. Industry representatives from Flixbus, Daimler Buses, Cities Forum, and Choose Paris Region share insights in engaging panel discussions.

The Future Night, scheduled for April 24 at the Marshall Haus, offers valuable networking opportunities and a platform for interdisciplinary exchanges. Attendees can expect face-to-face meetings and insights, fostering connections within the industry. The event also features the live presentation of the Fresh Travel Award, sparking discussions on how design, styling, and digital solutions can enhance the attractiveness of buses, considering both passenger needs and environmental impact.

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